Arsenic and fluoride co-enrichment of groundwater in the loess areas and associated human health risks:A case study of Dali County in the Guanzhong Basin

This study aims to reveal the occurrence and origin of typical groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations in the loess area of the Guanzhong Basin—a Neogene faulted basin.Key findings are as follows:(1)Groundwater samples with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations collected from the loess area and the terraces of the Weihe River accounted for 26%and 30%,respectively,of the total samples,with primary hydrochemical type identified as HCO_(3)-Na.The karst and sand areas exhibit relatively high groundwater quality,serving as preferred sources for water supply.It is recommended that local governments fully harness groundwater in these areas;(2)groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations in the loess area and the alluvial plain of rivers in Dali County is primarily distributed within the Guanzhong Basin,which represents the drainage zone of groundwater;(3)arsenic and fluoride in groundwater originate principally from natural and anthropogenic sources;(4)the human health risk assessments reveal that long-term intake of groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations pose cancer or non-cancer risks,which are more serious to kids compared to adults.This study provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of groundwater with high arsenic and fluoride concentrations in loess areas.

Characteristics of root pullout resistance of Caragana korshinskii Kom.in the loess area of northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

Roots exert pullout resistance under pullout force,allowing plants to resist uprooting.However,the pullout resistance characteristics of taproot-type shrub species of different ages remain unclear.In this study,in order to improve our knowledge of pullout resistance characteristics of taproot systems of shrub species,we selected the shrub species Caragana korshinskii Kom.in different growth periods as the research plant and conducted in situ root pullout test.The relationships among the maximum pullout resistance,peak root displacement,shrub growth period,and aboveground growth indices(plant height and plant crown breadth)were analyzed,as well as the mechanical process of uprooting.Pullout resistance of 4-15 year-old C.korshinskii ranged from 2.49(±0.25)to 14.71(±4.96)kN,and the peak displacement ranged from 11.77(±8.61)to 26.50(±16.09)cm.The maximum pullout resistance and the peak displacement of roots increased as a power function(R^(2)=0.9038)and a linear function(R^(2)=0.8242)with increasing age,respectively.The maximum pullout resistance and the peak displacement increased with increasing plant height;however,this relationship was not significant.The maximum pullout resistance increased exponentially(R^(2)=0.5522)as the crown breadth increased.There was no significant relationship between the peak displacement and crown breadth.The pullout resistance and displacement curve were divided into three stages:the initial nonlinear growth,linear growth,and nonlinear stages.Two modes of failure of a single root occurred when the roots were subjected to vertical loading forces:the synchronous breakage mode and the periderm preferential breakage mode.These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of the soil reinforcement and slope protection mechanisms of this shrub species in the loess area of northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China.

Study on Function of Vegetation's Preventing Soil Erosion in Small Watershed of the Loess Area

This paper analyzes the function of preventing soil erosion of the different woodlands according to a long-term fixed-position observation, and points out that the steep slope plantation of uncontrolled measures for soil and water conservation is apt to produce sediment Forestland has very strong effect in soil and water conservation when the biomass of arbor in the hillslope is over 1 4.51t/ha. Through analyzing the function of soil and water conservation about forestland (arbor, bush and the mixed woo...

Selection of Indigenous Plants in Roads in Northwestern Loess Plateau Area

[Objective] The aim was to study on resource utilization of indigenous plants in roads in order to solve resource shortage of indigenous plant in bioengi- neering. [Method] Based on northwestern loess plateau area, we conducted research on selection of indigenous plants and survey on the species which could live in adverse condition, mainly by surveying, with frequent tests as a supplement, to make a comprehensive observation and evaluation on plant combinations which are to be extensively applied. [Result] The research indicated that in central dividing strips, four arbors, including Platycladus orientalis （Linn.）Franco, Sabina chinensis, Sabinachinen- sis（Linn.）Ant., and Ulmus purnila L., and nine frutices, including Lycium chinense, Tamarix austromongolica, Rosa xanthina Lindl., Forsythia suspense, Atriplex canescens, Amygdalus triloba, Hippophae rharnnoides Linn., Arnorpha fruticosa L., and Syzygium aromaticum could be planted. In addition, Gleditsia sinensis Lain, Robinia pseudoacacia L, Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Rhus typhina, Salix babylonica, Salixmatsudana and Fraxinus chinensis, tall and strong, are suitable to be planted as border trees, presenting a good vision. Frutices, limited by height, are usually with more branches, which will provide a good landscape if grown with tall plants. Prunus dacidiana and Ulmus pumila L., prone to be damaged by insects, should be planted with other species to stop the infestation in space. [Conclusion] The research laid foundation for selection of indigenous plants in roads, providing references for resource shortage of indigenous plant for bioengineedng.

Effect of Vegetation and Precipitation upon Runoff and Sediment Production on Slope Lands of the Loess Area in China

According to fixed-position data for 1992-2003 from 16 runoff plots of Caijiachuan watershed which lie in Jixian County, Shanxi Province, in the loess area, this paper studied the relationship between vegetation and runoff and sedimentproduction on slope lands. The results showed as follows: 1) Runoffand sediment production in Robinia pseudoacacia forestand Pinus tabulaeformis forest had a high correlation with precipitation amount and rainfall intensity, but the correlation decreased gradually with the increase of canopy density; 2) The secondary forest had better function of soil and water conservation than artificial R. pseudoacacia forest, and runoff and sedimentproduction in the former in an individual rain event was 65%-82% and 23%-92% lower than thosein the latter, respectively;3) The difference ofrunoff and sediment production in several land uses was very distinct. Runoff and sediment production in Ostryopsisdavidiana forest and the secondary forest were the least; runoff and sediment production in artificial R. pseudoacacia forest and P. tabulaeformis forest were 5-fold as much as those in O. davidiana forest. Besides, runoff and sediment production in mixed stand of apple trees and cropswere 16.14-fold and 2.96-fold higher than that in O. davidiana forest, respectively, but theamount decreased obviously after high-standard soil preparation for theformer;4) Based on gray correlation analysis of variousfactorsaffecting runoffand sedimentproduction on slope lands, it can be seen that stand canopy density and herb and litter biomass werethe most significant ones, whosegray correlation valuesall exceeded 0.6. Therefore, mixed forest with multi-layer stand structure and shrub forest should be developed in vegetation reconstruction of the loess area, which help to increase coverage and litter thicknessto cut down the runoffand sediment production dramatically on slope lands.

The carbon isotope composition of C3 herbaceous plants in loess area of northern China

13C of 367 C3 herbaceous plants was measured in loess area in northern China. Their δ13C values vary between ?21.7%. and ?30.0%., with a mean of ?26.7%.. In the center of Loess Plateau (semimoist area) with annual precipitation of 400–600 mm, the δ13 C values of C3 herbaceous plants range from ?24.4%. to ?28.5%., with a mean of ?27.5%.. In the west of Loess Plateau (semiarid and arid area) with annual precipitation less than 400 mm, they range between ?21.7%. and ?30.0%., with a mean of ?26.2%.. Annual precipitation is the main factor that makes δ13C values of C3 herbaceous plants in the west greater than those in the central Loess Plateau. The composition of δ13C in C3 plants increases with deceasing annual precipitation, and the mean change is ?49%./100 mm.

Carbon isotope ratios of C_(4) plants in loess areas of North China

Carbon isotope ratios (δ^(13)C) of 89 C_4 plant samples were determined fromthe loess area in North China. δ^(13)C values vary between -10.5per thousand and -14.6per thousandwith a mean of -12.6per thousand. Along a precipitation gradient from the semi-moist area to thesemiarid area, then to the arid area, the δ^(13)C values of C_4 plants show a slight decreasingtrend. The δ^(13)C values of C_4 plants in the dry season are found lower than those in the wetseason. These trends are opposite to those observed for C_3 species.

Mechanism of formation of sliding ground fissure in loess hilly areas caused by underground mining

Based on a shallow-buried coal seam covered with thick loose layers in hilly loess areas of western China,we developed a mechanical model for a mining slope with slope stability analysis, and studied the mechanism of formation and development of a sliding ground fissure by the circular sliding slice method.Moreover, we established a prediction model of a sliding fissure based on a mechanical mechanism,and verified its reliability on face 52,304, an engineering example, situated at Daliuta coal mine of Shendong mining area in western China. The results show that the stress state of a mining slope is changed by its gravity and additional stress from the shallow-buried coal seam and gully terrain. The mining slope is found to be most unstable when the ratio of the down-sliding to anti-sliding force is the maximum, causing local fractures and sliding fissures. The predicted angles for the sliding fissure of face 52,304 on both sides of the slope are found to be 64.2° and 82.4°, which are in agreement with the experimental data.

Relationship Between Agriculture and Ecological Deterioration,Restoration and Reconstruction in Loess Plateau Areas of Northwest China

A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the current situation as well as historic succession processor agriculture and ecological conditions in Northwest China, in particular in the Loess Plateau, by means of a inter-disciplinary approach of ecology, agro-geohistory, and agronomy. It was concluded that the fundamental causes responsible for the ecological deterioration, signed by the poor agro-productivity and serious soil erosion, had been the extensive cropping system by ever-increasing reclamation on semi-drought slope land, where initiated a natural vegetation of brushy grasses with sparse trees, thus suitable only for animal husbandry. Based on an identification of specific actual status of China, several countermeasures of correctly dealing with the relationship between agricultural development and the ecological restoration and reconstruction were proposed, including to get breakthrough first in the transection area by means of the rational use of resources and the raising of agro-system productivity, to promoting 'water conservancy-type ecological agriculture' through the radical shift of traditional production pattern, and the adoption of a policy of proper degree of grain self-reliance, as well as to construct livestock industry base in Northwest China.

Impacts of Sloping Land Conversion Program on the vegetation in loess hilly and gully area of northern Shaanxi

Aiming at alleviating the serious soil erosion, the Chinese government initiated the Sloping Land Conversion Program （SLCP） in 1999. Now; after 8 years of project implementation, the ecological recovery effects of the SLCP have become the hot issue of academic circle. This paper; raking the loess hill and gully area of northern Shaanxi as an example, presents a methodology for assessing the vegetation restoration effect of SLCP with normalized difference vegetation index （NDVI）. The key components include calculation of the Growing Season NDVI （GSNDVI）, and estimation of the NVDI change induced by climate and SLCP, respectively. Based on the method, the NDVI change between 2000 and 2006 was obtained using the GSNDVI that excluded the noise from snow and ice. After the part of total NDVI change caused to： climate variation was estimated using empiric formulae, we obtained the part induced by human factors, i.e. the SLCP The human induced part of ND VI change was considered as an approximation indicating the effect of the SLCP on the vegetation. Finally, we analyzed the ND VI change characters of the whole study area, different slope lands and different land use types by spatial statistics method. Results show that the vegetation condition is significantly improved by the SLCP, particularly land types that directly involved in the SLCP, such as steeply slope farmlands, degraded grasslands, etc.

Erosion environment in the sediment-rich area on the Loess Plateau

Based on the investigation and analysis of characteristics of precipitation, natural environment, socio-economic factors and soil erosion, this paper indicates that the precipitation is the main driving force for the soil erosion in the sediment-rich area, its variability determines the characteristics of soil and water loss; the natural conditions such as the drainage systems, geological and topographic features, the composition of soil and land surface materials, vegetation and climate determine the seriousness of soil and water loss; irrational socio-economic activities of human beings usually accelerated soil and water loss; meanwhile, the low preservation rate and inferiority of soil and water conservation measures made it impossible to make rapid progress on soil and water loss control. Furthermore, the characteristics of erosion environment endowed this area with more sediment that is the main reason for the flooding disasters by the Yellow River. Therefore, more emphasis should be placed on the enhancement of soil and water conservation. The soil loss prediction models will provide scientific basis for the planning of soil and water conservation, the designing of soil and water conservation measures and the valuation of effects of soil and water loss control. According to the analysis of the previous studies on soil loss prediction, and the water-sediment variation features, it is thought that study on soil loss prediction under various rainfall conditions and soil-water conservation measures should be carried out.

Combining gradual and abrupt analysis to detect variation of vegetation greenness on the loess areas of China

The annual peak growth and trend shift of vegetation are critical in characterizing the carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems.As the well-known area with the fastest vegetation growth in the world,the Loess Plateau(LP)lands find an enhanced greening trend in the annual and growing-season.However,the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation peak growth and breakpoints characteristics on time series still needs to be explored.Here,we performed tendency analysis to characterize recent variations in annual peak vegetation growth through a satellite-derived vegetation index(NDVI_(max),Maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)and then applied breakpoint analysis to capture abrupt points on the time series.The results demonstrated that the vegetation peak trend had been significantly increasing,with a growth rate at 0.68×10^(-2)·a^(-1) during 2001-2018,and most pixels(70.81%)have a positive linear greening trend over the entire LP.In addition,about 83%of the breakpoint type on the monthly NDVI time series is a monotonic increase at the pixel level,and most pixels(57%)have detected breakpoints after 2010.Our results also showed that the growth rate accelerates in the northwest and decelerates in the southeast after the breakpoint.This study indicates that combining abrupt analysis with gradual analysis can describe vegetation dynamics more effectively and comprehensively.The findings highlighted the importance of breakpoint analysis for monitor timing and shift using time series satellite data at a regional scale,which may help stakeholders to make reasonable and effective ecosystem management policies.

Soil erosion types in the loess hill and gully area of China

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SOC Vertical Distribution Pattern of Economic Plants in the Loess Gully Areas of China

Three economic plants from the loess gully areas in China to explore the changing vertical distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon.The results showed that:(1) with the increase of depth,the average SOC content of economic plants decreased from 13.98 to 1.39 g/kg on the 0-100 cm soil profile,in the form of a power function;(2) the constructed depth spatial distribution models for different plants could help accurately assess the spatial distribution pattern of soil organic carbon;(3) compared with traditional agricultural planting,the carbon sink function for walnut and grape at a soil depth of 100 cm increased by 92.8±8.98 t/hm^(2) and 45.7±7.7 t/hm^(2),respectively.The adjustment of agricultural planting structure increases the content of soil organic carbon,and economic plants are of great significance to enhance the carbon sink function of the agricultural ecosystem in the loess gully area.

Aggregate Characteristics During Natural Revegetation on the Loess Plateau

Field investigations and laboratory analysis were conducted to study the characteristics of soil water-stable aggregates during vegetation rehabilitation in typical grassland soils of the hilly-gullied loess area. The relationship between water- stable aggregates and other soil properties was analyzed using canonical correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The results show that during the natural revegetation, the aggregates 〉 5 mm dominated and constituted between 50% and 80% of the total soil water-stable aggregates in most of the soil layers. The 2-5 mm aggregate class was the second main component. The mean value of water-stable aggregates 〉 5 mm within the 0-2 m soil profile under different plant communities decreased in the following order： Stipa grandis 〉 Stipa bungeana Trin. 〉 Artemisia sacrorum Ledeb. 〉 Thymus mongolicus Ronn. 〉 Hierochloe odorata （L.） Beauv. Clay, organic matter, and total N were the key factors that influenced the water stability of the aggregates. Total N and organic matter were the main factors that affected the water stability of the aggregates 〉 5 mm and 0.5-1 mm in size. The contents of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and physical clay （〈 0.01 mm） were the main factors which affected the water stability of the 1-2 and 0.25-0.5 mm aggregates.

Effects of loading rate on root pullout performance of two plants in the eastern Loess Plateau,China

Root pullout performance of plants is an important mechanical basis for soil reinforcement by plant roots in the semi-arid areas.Studies have shown that it is affected by plant factors(species,ages,root geometry,etc.)and soil factors(soil types,soil moisture,soil bulk densities,etc.).However,the effects of loading rates on root pullout performance are not well studied.To explore the mechanical interactions under different loading rates,we conducted pullout tests on Medicago sativa L.and Hippophae rhamnoides L.roots under five loading rates,i.e.,5,50,100,150,and 200 mm/min.In addition,tensile tests were conducted on the roots in diameters of 0.5-2.0 mm to compare the relationship between root tensile properties and root pullout properties.Results showed that two root failure modes,slippage and breakage,were observed during root pullout tests.All M.sativa roots were pulled out,while 72.2%of H.rhamnoides roots were broken.The maximum fracture diameter and fracture root length of H.rhamnoides were 1.22 mm and 7.44 cm under 100 mm/min loading rate,respectively.Root displacement values were 4.63%(±0.43%)and 8.91%(±0.52%)of the total root length for M.sativa and H.rhamnoides,respectively.The values of maximum pullout force were 14.6(±0.7)and 17.7(±1.8)N under 100 mm/min for M.sativa and H.rhamnoides,respectively.Values of the maximum pullout strength for M.sativa and H.rhamnoides were 38.38(±5.48)MPa under 150 mm/min and 12.47(±1.43)MPa under 100 mm/min,respectively.Root-soil friction coefficient under 100 mm/min was significantly larger than those under other loading rates for both the two species.Values of the maximum root pullout energy for M.sativa and H.rhamnoides were 87.83(±21.55)mm•N under 100 mm/min and 173.53(±38.53)mm•N under 200 mm/min,respectively.Root pullout force was significantly related to root diameter(P<0.01).Peak root pullout force was significantly affected by loading rates when the effect of root diameter was included(P<0.01),and vice versa.Except for the failure mode and peak pullout force,other pullout parameters,including root pullout strength,root displacement,root-soil friction coefficient,and root pullout energy were not significantly affected by loading rates(P>0.05).Root pullout strength was greater than root tensile strength for the two species.The results suggested that there was no need to deliberately control loading rate in root pullout tests in the semi-arid soil,and root pullout force and pullout strength could be better parameters for root reinforcement model compared with root tensile strength as root pullout force and pullout strength could more realistically reflect the working state of roots in the semi-arid soil.

The effects of land use and its patterns on soil properties in a small catchment of the Loess Plateau

Due to relatively strong human activities in the hilly area of Loess Plateau, the natural vegetation has been destroyed, and landscape pattern based on agricultural land matrix was land use mosaic composing of shrub land, grassland, woodland and orchard. This pattern has an important effect on soil moisture and soil nutrients. The Danangou catchment, a typical small catchment, was selected to study the effects of land use and its patterns on soil moisture and nutrients in this paper. The results are as follows: The comparisons of soil moisture among seven land uses for wet year and dry year were performed: (1) the average of soil moisture content for whole catchment was 12.11% in wet year, while it was 9.37% in dry year; (2) soil moisture among seven land uses was significantly different in dry year, but not in wet year; (3) from wet year to dry year, the profile type of soil moisture changed from decreasing type to fluctuation-type and from fluctuant type to increasing type; (4) the increasing trend in soil moisture from the top to foot of hillslope occurred in simple land use along slope, while complicated distribution of soil moisture was observed in multiple land uses along slope. The relationships between soil nutrients and land uses and landscape positions were analysed: (1) five nutrient contents of soil organic matter (SOM), total N (TN), available N (AN), total P (TP) and available P (AP) in hilly area were lower than that in other areas. SOM content was less than 1%, TN content less than 0.07%, and TP content between 0.05% and 0.06%; (2) SOM and TN contents in woodland, shrub land and grassland were significantly higher than that in fallow land and cropland, and higher level in soil fertility was found in crop-fruit intercropping land among croplands; (3) soil nutrient distribution and responses to landscape positions were variable depending on slope and the location of land use types.

An applied research on remote sensing classification in the Loess Plateau

Dae to complex terrain of the Loess Plateau, the classification accuracy is unsatisfactory when a single supervised classification is used in die remote sensing investigation of the sloping field. Taking the loess hill and gully area of northern Shaanxi Province as a test area, a research was conducted to extract sloping field and other land use categories by applying an integrated classification. Based on an integration of supervised classification aad unsupervised classification, sampling method is remarkably unproved. The results show that the classification accuracy is satisfactory by the method and is of critical significance in obtaining up-to-date information of the sloping field, which should be helpful in the state key project of converting farmland to forest and grassland on slope land in this area. This research sought to improve the application accuracy of image classification in complex terrain areas.

Discovery of Wolitu Pb-Zn deposit through geochemical prospecting under loess cover in Inner Mongolia, China

We report the finding of the Wolitu Pb-Zn deposit in Inner Mongolia, China, through a series of geochemical surveys. The Wolitu area, located in the loess-cover area in the Hure Banner, Tongliao City,Inner Mongolia, and neighboring the Horqin Sandy Land to the north, had no previous history of Pb-Zn mining or record of Pb-Zn mineralization. Our study identified a large Pb-Zn anomaly with potential zones of mineralization by stream sediment survey. Random rock sampling reveals limonitization at sporadic outcrops in the gullies. The high concentrations of Pb in the residual debris provided guidelines to fix the position for exploratory trench. Oxidized concealed orebodies were identified by trenching.Blind orebodies in veins hosted within the structural zone between slates and marbles of the upper Carboniferous Shizuizi Formation and the Permian granite were discovered by drilling. It is computed that the ore reserve may reach up to 540,000 tones with Pb grade of 1.27% and Zn of 1.9%. This case study is an excellent example for identifying potential polymetallic deposits in loess covered terrains using geochemical exploration.

黄土场地条件下地铁车站诱导缝三维地震响应研究

自20世纪90年代地铁车站结构诱导缝概念提出以来,诱导缝已在我国大、中等城市地铁车站中得到广泛应用,但其抗震性能尚未得到验证。以西安黄土地区地铁车站工程建设为研究背景,基于ABAQUS非线性有限元软件平台,建立黄土场地与地铁车站结构动力相互作用三维数值模型,通过大型地震模拟振动台试验与数值模拟的对比研究,验证了数值模型及分析方法的可靠性。基于上述数值分析方法,进一步建立原型结构数值计算模型,研究不同频谱特性及不同峰值加速度地震波作用下黄土场地中地铁车站诱导缝的地震响应规律。研究结果表明:诱导缝断面处结构更易发生较大水平相对位移而产生破坏,为地铁车站结构的薄弱面,且其两侧结构水平相对滑动沿地铁车站结构从下往上逐渐增大;诱导缝两侧结构竖向相对错动沿地铁车站截面宽度方向呈现出两端较大、中间相对较小的规律;在低频成分丰富的西安人工波作用下,诱导缝处余留纵向钢筋塑性变形发展贯穿整个地震作用过程,塑性应变累积效果更显著。研究结果初步揭示了设诱导缝地铁车站的地震响应特征及规律,对进一步探索设诱导缝地铁车站在地震作用下的结构损伤、破坏发展的内在动力与作用机制有一定参考价值,可为黄土地区地铁地下结构诱导缝的抗震设计提供参考。